Coaching Like a Champion: Eight Essential Building Blocks for Taking Any Sports Program to the Next Level

By Steve Miller

Coaching like a Champion is about providing solutions to the daily pressures and stressors coaches face in their programs by focusing on the following:
• Fulfilling your regular coaching responsibilities in a proactive, forward-thinking way
• Incorporating the eight essential building blocks into your coaching style as you lead your team and execute your coaching objectives and plan
• Providing tools for dealing with the challenges of coaching and teaching others to live a life of excellence and fulfillment

There is no shortage of books on becoming a champion but most relate to player qualities, characteristics, and disposition. Coaching like a Champion explores how coaches can attend to their own work in building the mindset of a champion and elevating their sports program to the next level.

There is no coincidence with the author using the verb coaching in his title. It connotes action and being intentional about your work. It cannot be practiced from a conservative perspective. The best ideas win, and the best ideas come from people who dare to be different, to dream, and to do things that no one dreamed possible. Dream big. Imagine what’s possible. Coach with creativity. Be your own champion. There are no limits.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984572936

Steve Miller

Robert S. Miller, better known as Steve, served as chairman and CEO of Delphi Corporation. In addition, he serves on the boards of Symantec and United Airlines. He resides near Detroit, Michigan, with his wife, Jill.

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Copyright © 2019 by Steve Miller.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2018914896

ISBN:                Hardcover                         978-1-9845-7290-5

                          Softcover                           978-1-9845-7289-9

                          eBook                                978-1-9845-7293-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 01/10/2019

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CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1   CHAMPION – Communication

Chapter 2   CHAMPION – Humility

Chapter 3   CHAMPION – Accountability

Chapter 4   CHAMPION – Mental Toughness

Chapter 5   CHAMPION – Passion

Chapter 6   CHAMPION – Integrity

Chapter 7   CHAMPION – Overcoming Adversity

Chapter 8   CHAMPION – Never Settle

Epilogue

References and Recommended Reading

DEDICATION

To The Trimble High School Varsity football team that is a source of pride in their community as they constantly exemplify grit, energy and a commitment to always hold the rope for each other. This attitude has propelled one of the smallest schools in Ohio to repeated trips to the final four and become one of the dominant Division IV programs in the state. This is even more remarkable when you watch this team take the field. They are not big nor are they flashy. But they do not know the meaning of the word quit and those who have underestimated them have regretted it. They believe in cause over self and that individual achievement is accomplished through the giving of one’s self to the goals and welfare of others.

A day after a tough loss in the state championship game, the players were in the weight room early preparing for the future and another playoff run. They understand the meaning of teamwork, commitment, sacrifice and endurance. They not only exude physical toughness but they are as mentally tough as any team I have ever seen. They know the importance of doing the hard thing over and over again, especially when they might not feel like doing it. They have experienced the benefits of doing so.

They represent a community where there may not be much material wealth but a whole lot of grit, determination, and a pull yourself up by the bootstraps mentality. This same community responded to a decision to demolish the beloved but collapsing football stadium. Many said replacing it with a new structure couldn’t be done; too expensive for the incomes of most living in the township. The community refused to accept can’t and proceeded to build a structure anyone would be proud to call their own.

I share all this because I want the team and community to know that in many ways they propelled me to write this book and see it to completion. The team and community have my respect and admiration.

PREFACE

Many books have been written about being or becoming a champion with most relating to a player’s qualities, characteristics and disposition. There is less written about coaches’ attending to their work in building a champion’s mindset. Why do we pay so much attention to the player’s work ethic and characteristics and far less to how this is best carried out, not only for players but for other in our program as well? Should not coaches be just as eager to learn about the unique attributes and qualities necessary to transform their coaching approach by discovering within themselves how to assess existing strengths and the skills needed to cultivate if they are serious about responding to the challenges they face on a daily basis? Let me emphasize that this book is not meant to merely help you cope with daily pressures and stressors but to masterfully respond, leverage new opportunities, and identify the values and principles to propel you into the Coaching like a Champion class.

With this premise in mind I set out to determine from research as well as to reflect on my own experience what makes a coach excel and Coach like a Champion? I will describe in a practical way my findings so that current and aspiring coaches can apply them to their work. In addition, tips will be provided on working with others involved in your sports program and how to be attentive to their needs as they relate to building and elevating your program. These will be included in a Hot Corner and Personal Game Plan Summary at the conclusion of each chapter. * Sorry for the baseball analogy but let me